Box system



Jan. 17, 1939. 1 H. LANGE I 2,144,333

' BOX SYSTEM 'l I Filed July 7, 1937 3 sheets-sheet 1 l Jan. 17, 1939. L. HQLANGE 42,144,132.23

Box SYSTEM Filed July 7, '1937' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan.`17,1939.7 ,HLANG 2,144,338

v BOX SYSTEM Filed July ".7, 1937 1 SVSheets-Sheet 3 n INVENTQR.

' LUDWIG HLANGE.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 17, 1939 APAT.ENT- oFFIcE v BQX SYSTEM Ludwig H. Lange, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to Stokes'and Smith Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 7, 1937, Serial No. 152,354

` 55 claims. (o1. :J3-54.2)

My invention relates to box-forming or box- Wrapping systems for applying sheet material as wrappers, labels, or the like,` tobox structures t0 form boxes, bo-x covers, containers, or the like.

In accordance With one. aspect of my invention, a box structure, such'as a stayedor unstayed box, is transferred from a registering or aligning station into the path of the form block of a box machine by two transfer structures which successively engage the box structure; specifically, one of the transfer structures is a carriage which reciprocates between a box-receiving position and a discharge position in the path of the form block and the other transfer structure is a member which pushes the box structure from the aligning or registering station into the carriage; with reduction of output of the machine, the latter transfer device may be omitted and the box structure fed by hand to the carriage.

Further in accordance with my invention, each box structure is aligned or registered with the form block by mechanism timed to effect the aligning or registering operation before movement of the box structures by the transferA device.

More particularly and preferably, the box structures are transported to the aligning or registering station by a conveyor movable, in each cycle of the machine, While the transfer and aligning devices are out of the path of box structures on the conveyor.

My invention further resides in the features of construction, combination and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

- For an understanding of my invention and for illustration of a preferred form thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is afront elevational vievv of a box machine and feeding means therefor;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational View, on enlarged scale, showing parts appearing in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail View showing one of the feeding or transfer devices in position different from Ythat of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail vievv` showing anothertransfer Y cam I attached to shaft 2 is driven frcnrn` a motor, not shown, through the 'clutcli comprising the driving 'element 3 and the driven elt The operator, to initiate operation of the "machine, eepresses the pedal '5 causing the aan e` to with- .draw @Die l fromerigeeiisnivithih llistable cam 8 rotatable 'with shaft 2; 'a `spririg,"not shown', is thereupon effective to move the driven clutch element 4 into driving engagement with the driven clutch member fat the end of4 one revolution of` shaft 2 the camS through 'l rocks the bell-crank lever 9 in :clockwise direction i0 Withdraw the driven Clutch member 4 ,aridso interrupt operation of the machine, 'provided the v operator does not hold thepedal depressed in' which @Vent the cycllerepeate During a revolution ofthe cam l, the form block F. comprising the 'upper form' `UF 'and the lower form LF is moved from the position shovvn in Fig. l downwardly in aV path adjacent various sheet-applying vtools and thence back to its origirial position shovvnin Fig. 1. This inovementy of the form bloeit.'A and relative movements wi h r'espect to each otherof the form-blockcomponents F laad @r ffeted by the 1res l0 arid lf provided, respectively, `with cam followers AL2 and 3 which ride in `the cam grooves` ilA and l5 of cam l. Aswll understood in"`t he`art, theszeof the form block is 4selected to' suit the particular boxes to be made or Wrapped byitlie machine.

The various sheet-applying tools, including the side rolls Il end'rolls not shown', marginal turniii `tools I 'l` andpresser blocks I8V are' `carried by four 'tool sueles I9 aiiistably securdto the tame 2U of themachfne and each provided with an `operatiifig member 2| adjustably secured toy a bar 2v2` extending from a slidable sleeve 23 "connected by link 24 to alever 25 carrying a carri follower 26 received by" groove'21,` of cani'28 disposed'on the one-time shaft 2` of the mach-ine;

` a y punngf each cycle of the machine,v the' sleeve 23 is reciprocated vto effect "the varioussljieet-applying l .operations of the'tools', alias' more fully'slovvn and described in the aforesaid Riderpatent.

The conveyor C is' intermittently operated' mak-ing `one step for each cycle of. the box machine M," to transport adjacent to the formblock structure F box structures, wrappers,` groups of tabs,` or specifically assemblies, such as shown for example in Sto-kes U. S.`Patent` #2,015,202,

, each comprising an unstayed boxforA component of a multi-piece box to'which is attached pary .tially applied sheet material. The sheet material partially applied to an unstayed box maysim'ply untabbed wrapper. Alternatively, each of the assemblies may comprise a previously stayed box and a partially applied tabbed or untabbed wrapper. Conveyor C, preferably of the suction type as in Davis U. S. Patent #1,818,198, may transport the wrappers from a gluing machine, such as shown in Rider U. S. Patent #1,857,260 or Federwitz U. S. Patent #1,772,344, and at an intermediate point between the gluing machine and the wrapping machine an operator may manually register boxes on the wrappers to form the assemblies, or this operation of forming assemblies may be performed automatically, as by mechanism disclosed in Stokes Patent #2,018,237.

For purposes of explaining the operation of the machine, the assemblies operated upon each comprises a one-piece unstayed box B, and a onepiece wrapper W to which tabs t are previously applied as by mechanism of the aforesaid Rider patent. The conveyor C is preferably of the suction type so that the wrappers are held flat by f suction at least until they pass the assembly station at a suitable point along the suction housing H.

As each assembly A in turn arrives in position adjacent the form block, the leading edge or end of the box structure B is engaged by an adjustable stop member 29 extending transversely of the conveyor belt C and held in position slightly above it by the bolt 30a, Fig. 2, which clamps stop 29 to the plate IUI for supporting conveyor belt C. The spacing of the stop 29 above the conveyor permits the leading end of the Wrapper to pass below it without obstruction, yet permits the stop 29 to engage the forward end of the stayed or unstayed box. The stop 29, as appears in Fig. 7, is in alignment or registry with one end of the form-block structure F. This element of itself is not suflicient to provide for alignment of the box or unstayed box with the l form block because of the tendency of the box structure to rebound from the stop; further, when the box structure is an unstayed blank, the

end wall is not erected and therefore, although the forward edge of the blank might remain against the stop 29 upon termination of the conveyor movement, the blank, if moved trans- Y versely of the conveyor into the path of the form block, would not be in alignment or registry with the form block. 1

" To insure proper alignment of the box structure with the form block, and additionally in the of erecting the box ends so that they are in case of the unstayed blank to erect the end walls of the blank, there is provided an aligning or registering mechanism R comprising the arm 32, Fig. 2, attached to shaft 33 and having at its free end a box-engaging member 33a which, when the arm 32 is in its lower position, Fig. 8, preferably justclears the top of the conveyor belt C and which, when in its upper position, Figs. 2 and 7, is out of the path of box structures on the conveyor to avoid obstruction to their movement toward the stop 29. When the member 33a is in its down position, Fig. 8, it is in alignment with one end of the form block F, and the stop 29, as previously stated, is in alignment with the opposite end of the form block. The swinging movement of the arm 32 is, therefore, effective, in the case of stayed boxes, to align them with the form block, and in case of unstayed boxes, performs the additional function alignment with the ends of the form block structure F.

The alignedV or registered box structure is moved from the position shown in Fig. 8 toward the path of the form block F by transfer mechanism P including the arm 35 pivotally mounted at one end of the reciprocable carriage 36 and at its other end having a suction plate 31 for engagement with a box structure on the conveyor C. During movement of the conveyor C the arm 35 is in its upper position, Figs. 2 and 7, permitting the box structures to move with the conveyor without obstruction by arm 35 or the suction plate 31.

After the box structure has been aligned by the registering mechanism R, as above described, the arm 35 is rocked in clockwise direction to effect engagement of the suction plate 31 with the box blank, Fig. 8. 'Ihis movement of the arm 35 is effected by the mechanism now described. Arm 35 is attached to shaft 38, Fig. 7, supported by the brackets 39 of carriage 36 and to shaft 38 is also attached the arm 40 upon the end of which is mounted a roller 4| received by a groove or slot 42 in the member 43, Fig. 2, from which depend the supporting members 44, 45 pivotally mounted to the arms 46, 41 of bell-crank levers 48, 49 supported from the bracket 50 attached to the main frame of the machine. The arms 52 of the bell-crank levers 48, 49 are pivotally connected to the bar 53 which extends toward the rear of the machine and is there pivotally connected to the lower end of a lever 54, Fig. 10,

supported by, and free to rotate with respect to, the shaft 55. From lever 54 extends the arm 56 having thereon a cam follower 51 for engaging the cam 58 formed on the under side of the cam member 59, Fig. 2, which rotates with shaft 2.I

3 ture, Fig. 8. While the arm 35 remains in this angular position with respect to its shaft 38, the carriager36 is moved toward the path of the form block to move the box structure to the position shown in Fig. 9. The mechanism for effecting this movement of the carriage is now described.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the carriage 36 is supported by the two guide rods 60 whose ends are supported by the bracket 5D. One end of the link 6| is connected at 62 to the carriage 36 and the other end of the link is connected, at the rear "of the machine, to the lower end of a lever 63 attached to the shaft 55. The arm 64 of lever 63, Fig. 2, carries the cam follower 65 received by the groove 66 in the cam member 59 on shaft 2.

When, during the cycle of the machine, the lever 63 is swung in counterclockwise direction,

Y the bar 6| is moved to the right, Fig. 2, to move the carriage 36 and the arm 35 thereon toward the path of the form block thus moving the box structure or assembly to the position shown in Fig. 9. After a predetermined dwell, the rise of cam 58 engages the cam follower 51 on lever 54 to move the link or bar 53 to the right, Fig. 2, to lower the member 43 and so cause the pusherarm 35 to swing in counterclockwise direction to its upper position, shown in Fig. 2; concurl rently the cam track 66 causes the arm 63 to swing in clockwise direction, moving the bar v6| to the left, and so returns the carriage 36 and arm 35 to its original position, shown in Fig. 7.

The ar'm 35 remains vin its upper Aposition until 1 4after vthe conveyor has moved another boxblank into engagement with the stop 29, and the `registering mechanism `R. has aligned it for transfer.

and 8, to the front end of 4the shaft 33 which supports the arm 32 of the aligning member is attached the arm 68 connected by link v69 to a lever 10 pivoted o-n bracket 1l adjustably secured to bar Ha. The roller 12 on arm 19 is received by a' slot 13 in the extension 43a, Fig. 2, of the vertically reciprocating member 43.

When member 43 is lifted under the control of cam 58 to swing the arm L35 from lthe position show'n in Fig. '1 to the box-engaging `position shown in Fig. 8, aligning arm 32 yis therefore concurrently swung from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the yposition shown in Fig. 8 to register the stayed or unstayed` box in anticipation of its vmovement to-wards the rform block by the pusherarm 35. During the forward movement of the `pusher-arm, the aligning member 33a. `remains in its down position and serves as a guide for the box structure during its movement toward the position shownin Fig. -9.

When the member '43 is moved downwardly under the control of cam`58 to swing the arm 35 upwardly away from the conveyor, the operating arm 10 for the aligning member 33a is concurrently operated to swing the arm 32 `from the position shown inrFig.l9 `to the position shown in Fig. lJ -the arms -351'and 32 remaining in their upper positions until the member 43 is raised in the next cycle of the machine thus to avoid obstruction to movement of the box structures toward stop 29.

To transfer the assembly A from the position shown in Fig. 10,'into the path of the form block, Fig. '1, there are provided the members 14, v14 adjustably secured to the bars V15, 15 which, in turn, are adjustably secured to the movable Supporting member 16 at the rear of the machine. The members 14, 14 of the second transfer device T extend from the rear of the machine, straddle the form block, and upon reciprocation of the supporting member 16 move from the box-receiving position of Fig. 9, above the conveyor and displaced from the center thereof toward the form block, to the box-discharging position` of Fig. '1. At their forward ends the members 14, 14 are provided with box-engaging or holding members 11, 11. The distance between members 11, 11 is adjustable to correspond to the length of the box struc-ture to be transferred, the extreme outer ends-of members 11 preferably being slightly flared to facilitate entry of a box between the members. `The inner faces of members 11, 11 are provided with ports 18 through which suction may be applied to hold the box against these members which serve as suction-type grippers. For application of suction to the ports 18, the members 14, '14 are hollow and connect at their rear ends with the suction hose 19. Each of the members 11, 11 is provided with a stop 88 defining the limit of movement of the box structure by the pusher-arm 35. From each of the members 14, 14 depends a supporting member 8i adapted, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, to pass beneath and support the leading panel of a wrapper vattached to the boxstructure to `be transferred into the path vof the formblock; members 8| yma'ylbe provided, asshow'n lin Fig. 8, with suction ports `ma. Themember 81 ikeeps the leading `panel of the `wrapper out of -contact with parts of vthe mechanism, for example, the platen 82, during A.the Itransfer `of the assembly to the position shown in Fig. 7 yabove the platen which is biased to the position shown in Figs. 2 and '1, as by a spring 'not shown.

The carriage comprising the members 14, 14 is reciprocated between vits box-receiving position `above the conveyor belt and its box-discharging lposition in the path of the form block F by the mechanism now described. 'The supporting `structure 'i6 for members 14, 14 is connected by link 83 to 'the'lower end of arm `84 pivoted at its upper end to the bracket member 85 and connected by Alink 8B to arm B1 attached to the operating shaft 55 for the carriage 33 of the other transfer device 35.

Concurrently with movement of carriage 36 towards the path of the form block ofthe wrapping machine to effect transfer of a box structure by arm 35 from the aligning station, the members 14, 14 are therefore moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 toward the box-receiving position shown in Fig. 9, the relative movement of the two transfer devices causing the box structure to be -transported from the position shown in Fig. 8 transversely of the conveyor to the position shown in Fig. 9 at which it is received by the box-holding members 11, 11. The distance vbetween the center lines of the conveyor and of the form block' is `fixed for all sizes of boxes within the range of the machine; the strokes of the two transfer devices are therefore fixed and eachl" follows th-e law of harmonic motion insuring smooth operating action.

Preferably before the box structure is moved 'from the position shown in Fig. 9 to the position shown in Fig. 10, the suction applied through the suction plate 31 to the box structure is cut off and substantially concurrently the suction is applied or increased through the ports 18 of the box-engaging members 11, 11. The valve mechanism for shifting the application of suction fromV one of the ltransfer devices to the other is shown in Figs. and 6.

The piston 88 of the suction valve V is connected by link89 to the arm 90 rockable by the cam 9| on shaft 2 of the box machine. pusher-arm 35 and the carriage members 14, 14 are moving toward each other, the valve piston 88 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, providing a path for suction through the plate 31, flexible hose 92, pipe 93, port 94 of valve V, about the piston 88, and thence through port 95 and pipe 93 to the intake of a suction pump not shown. The port 91 of the valve is blocked by the piston 88, preventing application of suction through the ports 1B and Sla of the box-engaging members 11, 11 and 8|, 8l respectively of the transfer carriage.

Substantially concurrently with the raising of arm 35 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the piston valve is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 i' to the position shown in Fig. 5 to close the port 94 and so discontinue application of suction through the plate 31 and substantially concurrently to permit application of suction through the port 91 which is in communication with the suction ports 18 and 8Ia of the carriage members 14, 14. Suction may be continuously exerted 'through the ports 18 until the arm 35 moves from the position-shown in Fig. '1 tothe position shown Ain Fig. 8, atwhich time suction is :transferred to As the block or, more specically, at the box-receiving position of the carriage members 14, 14.

Preferably the transfer devices, the conveyor C, and the form block of the Wrapping machine are so timed that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 10 at or just before the end of the cycle of the machine. As there indicated, the finished box has been, or is being ejected by the ejector 98, the conveyor C is stationary, the carriage members 14, 14 are in their box-receiving position, the pusher member 35 has completed its transfer movement of a box structure, and member 35 and the aligning member 33a are in their raised positions.

When the operator presses the pedal 5, the two transfer devices move away from one another, the carriage members 14, 14 moving assembly A to the position shown in Fig. '7, in the path of the descending form block F, and the other transfer device comprising arm 35 returning to its position above the aligning station, Fig. 7. While the two transfer devices remain stationary at these positions, the form block in its descent carries the assembly from the position shown in Fig. '7 downwardly adjacent the various sheet-applying tools, and during this dwell of the transfer device the conveyor C operates to bring another box structure or assembly against the stop 29. The carriage is free to move to its box-receiving position as soon as the descending form block has removed the assembly therefrom. For holding the box ends against the form block until operation of the corner-lap tools, which apply the flaps f of the wrapper to the box ends, there may be utilized the holders 100 of the type described in Lange application Serial #86,591, led June 22, 1936, or in lieu thereof, the form block F may be of the suction type disclosed in Rider application Serial #86,221,

filed June 20, 1936.

While the conveyor C is stationary, the member 33a of mechanism R swings` from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 to align a box structure or assembly with the form block, and the member 35 swings downwardly into engagement with the registered box structure, the valve V causing suction to be applied to the box structure through the plate 31 on arm 35. Substantially concurrently with interruption of movement of the conveyor, the two transfer devices move toward each other, the

arm 35 moving the box assembly to the position shown in Fig. 9, and the carriage members 14 concurrently moving to the position shown in Fig. 9 to receive the box. During'this movement of the transfer devices, and While they are still in the position shown in Fig. 9, the form block F may substantially complete its upward movement, the completed box having been removed therefrom by the stripper rods 99. While the transfer devices are in their respective positions shown in Fig. 9, the conveyor belt may begin its movement to transport the next assembly toward the registering station. Before the end of the cycle of the machine, the pusher-arm 35 and the aligning arm 32 may be swung upwardly to the position shown in Fig. l to avoid obstruction to the nextassembly to be or being transported to the registering station.

In the system as specifically described, the machine operator in each cycle of the machine, merely has to register a stayed or unstayed box on a wrapper or group of ldetached tabs; all of cycle during which the registering ,structure therefrom. A box none of the operations are may be effected, as above described, by utilization Vofthe blank-bending and transfer mechanism Stokes U. S. Patent #2,018,237. 75

" 2,144,338 the suction plate 31 to hold the box blank to the member 35 for its movement toward the form the other operations, including that of placing the box and Wrapper assembly on the form block, are performed automatically. With some sacrice of output, but yet with considerable improvement in this respect as compared with prior practice, the aligning mechanism R and transfer mechanism P and all their operating linkages and supports may be omitted. In this modification, Fig. 11, the operator sits more or less directly in front of the box machine M, and at that position registers boxes upon the wrappers or groups of tabs transported by conveyor C. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper lift of the conveyor at the registering station is supported by a board or plate IUI to maintain the belt flat and serve as a registry table. In addition tol forming assemblies, the operator, with this simplified construction, must push the assemblies between the spaced arms 14 of the transfer carriage. The consequent need for the operator to time her movements to that of the carriage to some extent reduces the proportion of the cycle during which the operator is free to perform the manual registering operation. However, since the carriage does not obstruct the movements of the operator and permits her to register a box on a Wrapper whenever the conveyor is stationary, the box machine may be run at high speed and yet afford ample time in each cycle for the operator to register a box on a wrapper and push the assembly into the carriage. Furthermore, since the boxreceiving position of the carriage is near the form-block side of the conveyor, the assembly may be moved from the conveyor almost as soon as the carriage begins its transfer movement, leaving the conveyor clear at the transfer station, thus making it feasible to start the conveyor before the transfer member completes its movement to the discharge position and, in any event, to effect movement of the conveyor within a period beginning shortly after the carriage has vbegun its movement from its assembly-receiving position and terminating before completion of the reverse movement of the carriage to its assembly-receiving position.

When both transfer devices are used, the registration of a box upon a v apper or tabs may -be performed at any time in the cycle except .while the conveyor C is in motion. Since in the particular arrangement described, the conveyor is moving for approximately 160 degrees of the mafront of her by the conveyor C.

When the aligning device R. and the transfer device P are omitted, there is then available approximately 100 degrees of the wrapping-machine operation may be effected. Cam 66 provides for suitable dwell of the carriage T at its box-receiving and boxdischarge positions and rapid movement of the .carriage toward box-receiving position shortly after the descending form block removes a box or assembly can be pushed into the carriage as it approaches or moves from its box-receiving position, as well as during its dwell at box-receiving position. Conversion to a full automatic system in which performed manually disclosed in While I have illustrated and described a preferred arrangement, it is to be understood my invention is not limited thereto, but is coextensive in scope with the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for transferring box structure into the path of said form-block structure comprising transfer structures movable toward and from each other during the cycle of said machine, one of said transfer structures, during the movement of said transfer structures toward each other, moving theA box structure toward the path of said form-block structure, and the other of said transfer structures, during the movement of said transfer structures away from one another, transporting the box structure into the path of said form-block structure.

2. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for transferring box structure into the path of said form-block :structure comprising transfer structures movable toward and from each other during the cycle of the machine, one of said transfer structures, during the movement toward each other of said transfer structures, pushing the box structure `.toward the path of said form-block structure,

and the other of said transfer s-tructures, during the movement of said transfer structures away from one another, pulling the box structure into the path of said form-block structure.

3. A box machine comprising r-eciprocating form-block structure, an alignment station, a transfer member movable to move an assembly comprising box structure and partially applied sheet material from said station toward the path of said form-block structure, a transfer member movable to receive an assembly from said rst transfer member and transport it into the path of said form-block structure, and mechanism operating in timed relation to said'form-block :structure for moving said transfer members toward and from each other.

4. A box machine comprising form-block structure reciprocating to and from a position at which it receives an assembly comprising box structure "and partially appliedv sheet material, sheet-applying tools adjacent the path of said form-block structure, and transfer structures movable toward' each other during movement of said form-block structure from said box-receiving position toward said sheet-applying tools and movable away from each other during movement of said form-block structure toward said box-receiving position, one of said transfer structures moving an assembly toward the path of said form-block structure during the movement toward each other of' said transfer structures, and the other of said transfer structures during the movement from each other of said transfer structures moving the assembly into said' path of the form-block structure.

5. Apex-machine comprising form-block structure, an alignment station, a transfer structure movable in one directionA to feed anassembly comprising box structure and' partially applied sheet material from said station toward said form-block structure and movable in reverse direction in a different path to permit movement of another assembly to said station, and a second transfer structure movable toward said station'to receive an assembly from saidl first transfer strueture and movable in reverse direction to transport the received assembly to said form-block structure.

6; A box machine comprising form-block struc` ture for receiving an assembly comprising box structure and partially applied sheet material, an alignment station, transfer structures, and mechanism operating to move said transfer structures toward each other for transfer by one of said transfer structures of an assembly from said station to the other of said transfer structures and subsequently to move said transfer structures away from each other for transfer by the other of said transfer structures of the received assembly to said form-block and for return of said one of said transfer structures toward said station.

'7. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, an alignment station to one side of the path of said form-block structure, supporting structure on the other side of said path, spaced box-engaging members extending from said supporting structure toward said station', and mechanism for moving said supporting structure toward said path for positioning said members to receive a box structure and for moving said supporting structure away from said path to transport the received box structure into said path.

8. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, sheet-applying tools adjacent the path of said form-block structure, aA pair of spaced members for engaging and holding erected walls of a box structure disposed to one side of the path of said form-block structure, supporting structure for said members disposed on the opposite side of said path, and mechanism operable after said form-block structure has passed its box-receiving vposition in` mbving toward said tools to move said supporting structure toward said path for reception of box structure by said spaced members and operable after said form-block` structure has passed its boxreceiving position in reverse direction to move said supporting structure away from said path to effect transport of the received box structure into said path.

9. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block' structure, sheet-applying tools adv f jacent the pathl of said form-block structure, means for transferring box structure into thepath of said form-block structure comprising supporting structure movable toward, and from the path of said form block, a pair of members each attached at one end to said supporting structure and spaced to straddle the form block when in box-receiving position, box-holding means carried by the free ends of said members,`

and mechanism operable after said form-block structure has moved from said box-receiving position toward saidsheet-applying tools to move said l supporting structure toward the path of said form-block structure for reception of box structure by said box-holding means of said spaced members' and operable after said form-block structure has passed said box-receiving position in reverse direction to move said supporting strucnism for moving said members in forward' direction to receive a box structure and in reverse direction to draw the received box structure into the path of said form-block structure, and means for effecting application of suction through said ports during movement of said members in said reverse direction.

12. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block. structure, a pair of spaced members having suction ports for engaging the exterior faces of erected walls of a box structure, a conveyor, mechanism for moving said members in forward direction toward said conveyor to receive a box structure pushed across the conveyor between said members and for moving said members in reverse direction to draw the received box structure into the path of said form-block structure, and means for interrupting application of suction through said ports during movement of said members in forward direction.

13. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a pair of spaced members for engaging and holding erected walls of a box structure, mechanism for moving said members in one direction to receive a box structure and in reverse direction to transport the received box structure to said form-block structure, and structure reciprocating toward and from said form-block structure for feeding a box structure into engagement with said spaced members for transport thereby.

14. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a pair of spaced members having suction ports for engaging erected walls of a box structure, mechanism for moving said members in one direction to receive ther box structure and in reverse direction to transport the received box cable means and for interrupting application of suction by said reciprocable means during movement of said members in said reverse direction.

15. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, support members disposed onV opposite sides of the path of said form-block structure, mechanism for moving said members toward and from one another, suction devices carried by said support members for successively holding box structure thereto, and means for supplying suction to said devices alternately, as each moves toward said form-block structure.

16. A box machine comprising form-block structure, an alignment station, a supporting structure, mechanism for moving said structureY toward and away from said form-block structure, a box-engaging member pivotally mounted on said supporting structure, and mechanism for 1 swinging said member in engagement with box structure at said station for movement of said supporting structure toward said form-block structure and for swinging said member in reverse direction for reverse movement of said supporting structure.

17. A box machine comprising form-block structure, an alignment station, a supporting structure, mechanism for moving said structure toward and away from saidform-block structure,

a suction member pivotally mounted on said supporting structure, mechanism -for swinging said form-block structure, a pair of spaced members having suction ports for engaging the exterior` faces of erected walls of a box structure, mechamember into engagement with box structure at said station for movement of said supporting structure toward said form-block structure and for swinging said member in reverse direction for reverse movement of said supporting structure, and means for applying suction through said member for forward movement of said supporting structure and for reducing the suction for reverse movement of said supporting structure.

18. A box machinel comprising form-block structure, an alignment station, transfer structure movable toward said form-block for moving box structure from said station, and mechanism operable to align the box structure at said station with the form-block structure prior to movement of the box structure from the station by said transfer structure.

19. A box machine comprising form-block structure, an alignment station, transfer structure movable toward said form-block structure for moving box structure from said station and movable in reverse direction in a different path to permit movement of a second box structure to said station, and mechanism operable before the next movement of said transfer structure toward said form-block structure to align said second box structure.

20. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for box structures disposed on one side of said form-block structure, supporting structure on the opposite side of said form-block structure, spaced box-transfer members extending from said supporting structure toward said conveyor, mechanism for moving said supporting structure toward said form-block structure for positioning said members to receive a box structure on said conveyor, and means operable to align the box structure on said conveyor prior to its movement by said transfer members.

21. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, a conveyor for box structures disposed on one side of said form-block structure, supporting structure on the opposite side of said form-block structure, spaced boxtransfer members extending from said supporting structure toward said conveyor, and mechanism forY moving said supporting structure toward said form-block structure to position said members to receive a box structure from said conveyor and for moving said supporting structure away from said form-block structure to move the received box structure into the path of said form-block structure.

22. A box machine comprising form-block structure, an intermittently operated conveyor for transporting box structures adjacent said form-block structure, and means for transferring the box Structures in succession from said conveyor to said form-block structure comprising transfer structures movable toward and from each other while said conveyor is at rest, one of said transfer structures during movement of the ltransfer structures toward each other moving a box structure along the conveyor for reception by the other transfer structure, and the other of said transfer structures, during the movement of said transfer structures away from each other, transferring the received box structure from said Y conveyor into the path of said form-block structure.

23 A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for transporting box structures, a transfer member movable toward and away from said conveyor and toward and away from said form-block structure, and mechanism operable Masas te move said, transiermember towarri sais een:

VGYQT and Sad; form-19106K; SWCZUPC: t9; @We a. bex Structure alone the. conveyor toward, said form-bleek structure and subsestientlv te. mere said transfer member away from said conveyor and. Said form-bleek structure.

2.4. A bex machine compr .e formt-bleek Structurey a conveyor fer transp .tina bex str-uetures.. e transfer member croyable toward and away from Seid. Conveyor and toward and away from Seid ferm-bleek; Structure.. meehamrn operable while said conveyor is, at rest to movel said transfer member toward said conveyor and said form-block structure to move a box structure along the conveyorA toward said; form-block structure and snbsequentlyto move said transfer member away from Said conveyor and said form-block. structure, and mechanism for effecting operation of said conveyor while said transfer member is away from said conveyor.

2 5. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for transportingbox struc-A tures, an aligning member movable. to engage the box structures in succession on said conveyor, a transfer member movable toward and away from said conveyor and toward and away from said form-.block structure, mechanism operable to move said transfer member tow-ard said conveyor and toward said form-block structure to move an aligned box structure toward said formsblock structure and subsequently to move said transfer member away` from said conveyor and said formblock structure, and mechanism for operating said aligning member while said transfer member is away from said conveyor.

26. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for transporting box structures, an aligning member movable to engage the box` structures in succession on said conveyor, a

`transfer member movable toward and away from.

said conveyor and toward and awayV from. said form-block structure, mechanism operable while said conveyoris at rest to move said transfer member toward` said conveyorv and said form- .block structure to move an aligned box structure abovesaid conveyor and between the path of said form-block structure and the line oftravel of` said box structures with said conveyor to a position for holding box structure i-n the path of said form-block structure, box-holding meansmovable with said carriage for engagement, at said boxreceiving position, with box structure at theA side thereof nearest said form-block path, mechanism for movingsaid carriage to its box-receiving position while said conveyor is at rest, and mechanism for operating said conveyor to bring abox structure adjacent the box-receiving position ofv said carriage while the carriage is away therefrom.

28. A box machine comprising form-block* engaging box structure on said conveyor and moving it, while Said conveyor is at rest, to said carriage while in receiving position.

29.` A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for box structures, a carriage reciprocable from a box-receiving position above vsaid conveyor to a discharge position in the path of saidA form-block structure, a box-engaging member movable toward and from said con- Veyol and iQWard and from said box-receiving position, mechanism operable while said conveyor is at rest to move said carriage and said member toward said box-receiving position, and mechanism for Operating Said conveyor while said carriage is away f -rom said box-.receiving position and said member is away from said conveyor.

3Q. A box machineV comprising form-block stroom-re, a conveyor for box structures, a carriage reciprocable from a box-receiving position abve said conveyor to a discharge position in the path of said form-block structure, a box-engaging member movable toward and from said conveyor and toward and from said box-receiving position, mechanism operable while said conveyor is at rest to move said carriage and said member toward said box-receiving position, mechanism for operating said conveyor while said' carriage is in said discharge position and said member is away from said conveyor, structure for aligning a box structure for transfer by said member, and mechanism for eieoting operation of said aligning structure after operation of said conveyor and while said member is away from said box-.receiving position.

31. A box machine comprising form-block structure, an assembly'stationat which box structures are adhesively attached t0 sheet material, a conveyor for transporting the assemblies from said station, a carriage reciprocable from an assembly-.receiving position above said conveyor to a discharge. position in the path of said formblocl; structure, anassembl-y-engagingy member movable towardandfrom said conveyor and toward' and away from said assembly-receiving positicn., mechanism` operable while said conveyor is at rest to move said carriage and said member towardv said assembly-receiving position, and mechanism for operating said conveyor While said carriage is away from said box-receiving position and while said member Vis away from said conveyor.

3-2. A box machine comprising form-block structures an intermittently operated conveyor for transporting box structure, stop structure in alignment withl said form-blockA structure for engaging one wall oi a box structure on said conveyor, an aligning member movable to engage the opposite Wall or said box structure and align it with saidV form-block structure, a carriage for tran-sporting an aligned box structure from said.

conveyorinto the path of said form-block structure, means for pushingan aligned box structure into said carriage, and means eiecting operation of said conveyor when said carriage, said movabletalignlingmember andr said pushing member are out of the path of box structures on the conveyor,

33; A box machine comprising form-block structure, andmeans for transporting unstayed boxes iii-tothe path of said form-block structure comprising aI pair of spaced members for engaging opposite erected walls of anA unstayedV box and extending` beneath the leadingv unerected wall.

3.43. box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor; extendingadiacent the t path` of said form-block structure, a carriage movable from an assembly-receiving position above the conveyor into the path of said form-block structure, box-holding means movable with said carriage for engagement, at said assembly-receiving position, with an assembly at the side thereof nearest said form-block path, and means for operating said conveyor step by step timed to complete a step of said conveyor before said carriage completes its movement to said assembly-receiving position.

35. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor extending adjacent the path of said form-block structure, a carriage for trans- `porting box-structure from said conyeyer into the path of said form-block structure, and mechanism for reciprocating said carriage from the box-receiving position of said carriage intermediate the center line of said conveyor and said path to and from the box-discharge position of said carriage in said path.

36. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor extending adjacent the path of said form-block structure, a carriage movable from an assembly-receiving position intermediate the center line of said conveyor and said path to an assembly-discharge position in said path, mechanism for effecting reciprocation of said carriage, and means for intermittently operating said conveyor timed to effect its movement while said carriage is away from its assembly-receiving position.

37. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor extending adjacent the path of said form-block structure, a carriage movable from a box-receiving position intermediate the center line of said conveyor and said path to an assembly-discharge station in said path, suction grippers on said carriage for engaging walls of box structure for transport by said carriage, mechanism for effecting reciprocation of said carriage between said receiving and discharge positions, and mechanism for operating said conveyor step by step timed to completea step of its movement while said carriage is away from said boxreceiving position.

38. A box machine comprising form-block structure, a conveyor for transporting assemblies, comprising box structures registered on sheet material, to a position thereon adjacent said box machine, mechanism operable to displace the assemblies in succession from said position toward the edge of the conveyor nearest the path of said form-block structure, and mechanism operable to receive the displaced assemblies and transport them in succession into said path of the formblock structure. Y

39. A box machine comprising form-block structure, and means for feeding assemblies comprising box structures registered on sheet assemblies into the path of said form-block structure comprising a conveyor, feeding devices'reciproeating transversely of said conveyor toward and from. each other and toward and away from the path of said form-block structure, said conveyor transporting the assemblies to one of said feeding devices, said one of said feeding devices transporting the assemblies in succession transversely of the conveyor to the other feeding device, and said last-named feeding device transferring the assemblies in succession into the path of said form-block structure.

40. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for pulling box structures into the path of said form-block structure comprising members reciprocating in unison on opposite sides of the path of said form-block structure and having their free ends extending forwardly toward an operator who disposes a box structure therebetween.

41. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for pulling box structures into the path of said form-block structure comprising members reciprocating in unison on opposite sides of the path of said form-block structure with their forward ends presented toward an operator and free of any interconnecting structure, and suction grippers at the forward ends of said members to hold thereto a box structure disposed therebetween by the operator.

42. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for pulling box structures into the path of said form-block structure comprising members reciprocating in unison on opposite sides of the path of said form-block structure and free of any interconnecting structure which crosses said path or which obstructs the space between the forward ends of said members and said path, stops at the forward ends of said members, and means at the forward ends of said members to hold thereto a box disposed therebetween by an operator in position determined by said stops.

43. A machine comprising a reciprocating form-block structure, an intermittently operated conveyor extending adjacent the path of said structure, and means for pulling box structure into said path comprising members reciprocating in unison on opposite sides of the form-block structure and whose free ends extend over said conveyor to receive box structure pushed along the conveyor while it is at rest.

44. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, and means for pulling box structures from a transfer station into the path of said form-block structure comprising a reciprocable carriage having transfer members which straddle the path of movement of said form-block structure and whose free ends are presented toward said transfer station.

45. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, reciprocating structure for moving an assembly comprising box structure and partially applied sheet material into the path of said form-block structure, and pneumatic means for supporting the leading unapplied panel of said sheet material during said movement of the assembly by said vreciprocating structure.

46. A box machine comprising reciprocatory form-block structure, means for pulling an assembly comprising box structure and partially applied sheet material from a transfer station into the path of said form-block structure comprising members reciprocating in unison on opposite 'sides of the path of movement of said form-block structure and whose free ends, presented toward said transfer station, receive the box structure, and pneumatic means for supporting the leading unapplied panel of said sheet material during the movement of the assembly into said path.

47. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure for receiving at a station intermediate the limits of its path of movement an assembly comprising box structure and sheet material partially applied thereto, sheet-applying tools adjacent said path beyond said station, assembly transfer means comprising members between which said form-block structure reciprocates, and mechanism operable after said formblock structure has passed said station for movement adjacent said tools to move said members to present their leading ends to an assembly to bey movement of said form-block structure, means for transporting box structures from said transfer station into said path comprising a member reciprocable toward and away from said path, and means for moving said member toward said conveyor to engage a box structure for movement therewith toward said path and for moving said member away from said conveyor during its movement away from said path in avoidance of obstruction to movement of the next box structure by said conveyor to said transfer station.

49. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure, a transfer member movable successively to move assemblies each comprising box structure and a partially applied tabbed wrapper toward the path of said form-block structure, a second transfer member adapted individually to receive the successive assemblies and transport them in succession into the path of said form-block structure, and mechanism operating in timed relation to said form-block structure for moving said members toward and from each other.

50. A box machine comprising reciprocating form-block structure,

during the cycle of said machine, one of said transfer structures during its movement toward the other transporting and delivering thereto an assembly comprising box structure and a partially-applied tabbed wrapper, and the other of said transfer structures by its movement from said one of said transfer structures delivering the assembly into the path of said form-block structure. i

51. A box machine comprising Vform-block structure reciprocating through aV station at which it receives an assembly comprising boxstructure and partially applied sheet material, sheet-applying tools adjacent the path of said form-block structure on one side of said station, a conveyor for transporting assemblies, transfer structures movable toward and from each other above said conveyor, and mechanism operating in timed relation to said form-block structure for moving said transfer structures toward each `other while said form-block structure is on said one side of said station, one of said structures during said movement transporting an assembly withl respect to said conveyor and delivering it to the other of said transfer structures, and for moving said transfer structures away from each other while said form-block structure is on the reciprocating transfer structures movable toward and from each other other side of said station to effect delivery ofthe assembly by said other of said transfer structures to said station.

52. A box machine comprising form-block structure reciprocating through a station at which it receives an assembly comprising box structure and-partially applied sheet material, an alignment station to one side of said assembly-receiving station, movable supporting structure on the otherside of said assembly-receiving station, assembly-engaging structure extending from said supporting structure toward said alignment station, and mechanism for reciprocating said supporting structure in timed relation to said formblock structure for moving said assembly-engaging structure to pull assemblies in succession from said alignment station to said assembly-receiving station.

53. A box machine comprising form-block structure reciprocating through a station at which it receives an assembly comprising box structure and partially applied Vsheet material, assembly transfer means comprising reciprocating structure through which suction is exerted upon an exterior face of the assembly to holdY it thereto, and mechanism for moving said last-named structure in one direction to pull an assembly to said station and in reverse direction to engage the next assembly to be pulled thereby to said station.

54. A box machine comprising form-block structure reciprocating through a station at which it receives an assembly comprising box structure and sheet material partially applied thereto, means for transporting assemblies to said station comprising a conveyor, a transfer structure for displacing the assemblies in succession while on said conveyor, and a second transfer structure for receiving the displaced assemblies delivered thereto by said rst transfer structure and transporting them to said station, and mechanism for aligning the assemblies in succession prior to their displacement by said first transfer structure.

55. In a system comprising mechanism for feeding, coating with adhesive, and applying tabs to wrappers, and a box machine having formblock structure reciprocating through a receiving station at which it receives an assembly comprising box structure and a tabbed wrapper partially applied thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tabbed wrappers from said mechanism through a station in which box structures are registered on the tabbed wrappers to form assemblies, means for aligning the assemblies on said conveyor with said receiving station, and transfer structures movable toward each other to eifect by one of said transfer structures transfer of an aligned assembly to the other of said transfer structures and movable away from each other to effect delivery of an assembly to said receiving station by said other of said transfer structures.

LUDWIG H. LANGE. 

